Mega food park may come up in Kadapa

A mega food park is likely to come up in Kadapa district with a grant of Rs. 50 crore from the State and Central governments, District Collector K.V. Ramana said on Saturday.
The government will extend sops such as power supply at concessional rates, VAT and stamp duty concessions for young entrepreneurs coming forward to set up food processing units in the district, the Collector said at a district-level workshop on food processing units. Revenue officials will identify lands on lease at nominal prices, he added.
Mr. Ramana asked entrepreneurs to gain awareness about industrial units, marketing and export of products by visiting the existing units. Details of food processing units and the requisite machinery are available on the government’s website, he said.
District Industries Centre General Manager G. Gopal said farmers should be aware of agricultural practices and marketing of their produce to get remunerative prices. “Farmers should come forward to set up food processing units with the help of Horticulture and Animal Husbandry departments,” he added.
Lead District Manager Raghunatha Reddy said food processing units would generate employment. Maintaining that rural youth should be enlightened on food processing units, he promised loan assistance from banks for setting up fresh units. “Qualitative products will fetch revenue, and units should not be set up merely for utilising subsidy,” he added.
Joint Director of Agriculture Gnanasekhar said farmers should market their agricultural produce to earn profit.
AP Food Processing Society member Srinivasa Rao told farmers to cultivate crops based on market demand. Another member, Raju, said Kadapa district had very few industries but was exporting horticulture produce to other districts.
He suggested formation of groups to set up agriculture and horticulture-based units.
AP Micro-Irrigation Project Director Srinivas, Krishi Vignana Kendra scientist Swarnalatha and Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Satya Prakash also spoke.

From The Hindu daily